'What do I do? I'm sadly lacking in undergarments. In everything really.”
“What about at… your father's house?” Christopher asked.
“My entire wardrobe is there, but I don't fancy going after it. I'll go naked before I set foot in that pit of hell again. Besides, after you dismissed him, he probably did something rash… like burn the lot.”
Christopher rolled his eyes heavenward. “No doubt. Just a moment, let me
see if the housekeeper can find you something to borrow. Here.” He retrieved a shirt from the wardrobe and tossed it to her. “Cover yourself so you can meet her.”
She slid the shirt around her slender body. As she was tall for a woman, it fluttered around the middle of her thighs, but it was enough, barely, for decency.
Christopher took her hand and led her out of the bed-chamber and into the front
room, where he summoned his housekeeper.
Mrs. Bristol flitted around the room, scowling at the slovenly mess
Christopher had made on and around the coffee table. “Your man should be fired.”
“He's been on holiday,” Christopher explained. “And as he mentioned earlier,
he only got back last night. This is all my doing.”
She glared at him, and he held up his hands in mute apology. The pseudo-serious pantomime shattered when both of them broke into laughter. Mrs.
Bristol, in particular, laughed so hard her whole body shook, sending her white
side-curls dancing. The plump, smiling woman put Katerina instantly at ease, even though she was standing in front of a total stranger wearing her husband's
shirt—which covered her only to mid-thigh—and nothing underneath.
Christopher settled down to business. “Mrs. Bristol, this is my wife. In the process of removing her from a… terrible situation, all her clothing was lost. I will take her shopping tomorrow, but in the meanwhile, do you know of
anything she can borrow?”
“Yes,” the woman replied as she clasped Katerina's hand. “My daughter is
built a little like you. She left some old clothes with me. I keep them downstairs.
Does that interest you?”
“I can't be choosy,” Katerina explained. “I'll be thankful for whatever I can
get.”
“Just a moment. I'll be right back.”
A short time later she fluttered into the room with a pile of garments: a white
nightgown, a clean linen chemise, threadbare but serviceable pantalets and two
dresses. Katerina nodded in gratitude. “Thank you so much.”
“You don't need a corset, you're so slender,” the woman said.
Katerina smiled. “I wouldn't be able to fasten it anyway. Just a moment.” She hurried into the bedroom and emerged a short time later, comfortably clad in the
undergarments and one of the dresses, all unfastened down the back. Mrs. Bristol
circled her to help.
“Dear Lord, child, what happened to you?”
Drat, Katerina cursed in her mind, realizing the oversized chemise had dipped too low, revealing scars. She closed her eyes in shame.
Christopher gave the housekeeper a hard look. “I already told you.”
“You're a very good man, Mr. Bennett,” Mrs. Bristol said fervently.
“He certainly is,” Katerina agreed.
“Won't it hurt you if I fasten this?” Mrs. Bristol asked, and her kindness brought tears to Katerina's eyes.
“Maybe, but it needs to be done.” She controlled her desire to wince as Mrs.
Bristol bustled around tightening the tapes until the garment lay in position on her slender body. It does no good to make others suffer with me, she reminded herself each time a bruise or cut began to throb.
At last, Katerina's clothes had settled around her body, covering the scars and
